Cave Rescue, May 25, 1969
Big Ridge Cave, PA

REPORT

On 25 May, Tom O'Holleran (18), Orville Ormsby (24), and Del
Myers (20) descended into Big Ridge Cave by rappel and proceeded
toward the squeeze in the stream passage. Enroute, one must
descend a sloping fissure.

While climbing down the fissure, O'Holleran slipped and slid 8
feet to the bottom, landing on his feet. In the process he struck
his knee painfully against the wall. The party then left the
cave. It was subsequently discovered that O'Holleran's knee was
not just bruised, but deeply cut. Eight stiches were required to
close the wound, and an artery had been nearly cut.

References

NSS Cave Accident Reports, 1969, Page 4.

Del Myers, Nittany Grotto News, Jan-Feb 1970.

Analysis

O'Holleran, who had only started caving a few months
previously, was apparently unaccustomed to scrambling on muddy
and insecure slopes. Only more care in moving could have
prevented the accident. He was fortunate in an artery not being
severed, as a more elaborate rescue probably then would have been
necessary.